Krishna Power

Lord Sri Krishna displays His power as the Supreme Lord and the Ultimate Guru in His pastimes with demons and while doing so, He teaches the world regarding poor practices in spiritual advancement through these illustrated struggles and obstacles. For example, when Nanda Maharaja is captured by Varuna “to surround”, the god of law and the water elements, Krishna illustrates the fault in thinking that spiritual life can be enhanced by intoxication.

When Krishna is extinguishing the forest fire He teaches us regarding inter-communal discord among Vaishnavas. Sakatasura, the cart demon, shows us the futility in carrying the burden of a cart-load of old and new bad habits, lethargy and vanity, Lord Krishna kicks these obstacles aside as He does the cart demon.

Demons Killed by Krishna, or special Lilas and the Anarthas they Represent

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Sri Caitanya Siksamrita describes the demons Krishna killed in His Vrindavana pastimes and the anarthas (unwanted things) that they represent.

Sri Krishna killing the demon horse Keshi

1. Putana – the pseudo guru.

2. Sakatasura (the cart demon) – carrying the burden of a cart-load of old and new bad habits, lethargy and vanity.

16. Nanda Maharaja Captured by Varuna – thinking that spiritual life can be enhanced by intoxication.

17. Nanda Maharaja Swallowed by Vidyadhara (the snake) – rescuing the truth of Krishna consciousness from being swallowed by the impersonalists.

18. Sankhacuda (killing the conch-shell demon and getting the jewel that was stolen by him) – proneness toward acquiring name and fame, and desire for sensuous enjoyment, under the plea of devotion.

19. Aristasura (the bull demon) – pride arising from indulging in false religions invented by cheaters which causes neglect of devotional service (bhakti).

20. Kesi (the horse demon) – The feeling that “I am a great devotee and spiritual master.”

21. Vyomasura (the demon in the sky) – associating with thieves and other rascals, and with people who put themselves forward as avataras.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura says: “The devotee who worships the holy name should first petition the Lord for the strength to cast out all these unfavorable tendencies—and should pray thus before Lord Hari on a daily basis. By doing this regularly, the devotee’s heart will eventually become purified. Sri Krishna has killed a number of demons which may arise in the kingdom of the heart—so in order to destroy these problems, a devotee must cry very humbly before the Lord and admit defeat—then the Lord will nullify all contaminations.”